by I first met my friend Violet in 2017, during our Peace Corps service in Ukraine. Our paths crossed again in 2022 when we both served on the “Returned Peace Corps Volunteers Alliance for Ukraine” small grants committee after Russia’s full-scale invasion. What connected us was our shared love of helping people. So, it’s no surprise Violet was also helping her community in Kenya. Over several years, I’d been following Violet’s social media posts about her sustainable farm, Pepetwa Farm in Kakamega. I finally got the courage to call her and ask, “Can I come visit your farm?” She said yes. After a year of planning, I was on an African journey to see how good things grow in Kenya!
It was a dark drive in a torrential downpour when we finally arrived to Kakamega from the Kisumu airport. The welcome was unforgettable, multiple women grabbing my hand, ushering me inside like long-lost family. The next day, the first thing on our agenda was to tour the farm. We took a short 10 min. motorcycle ride through the country side, zooming past lush scenery, excited kids (and adults) whose eyes lit up like they’d seen a unicorn. (Spoiler: it was just me.) I greeted everyone with “Habari!” (hello in Swahili) which got surprised smiles. Apparently, polite unicorns are rare.
Pepetwa Farm was founded in 2022, and named after Violet’s great-grandmother who taught her how to garden. It’s a vibrant 1.5-acre organic farm committed to sustainability and community. She grows everything from maize, peas to saga and sweet potatoes. No chemicals, just earth and hard work. The farm is stunning – lush soil, hardworking farm helpers, cows, goats, bees, and the biggest composting area I’ve ever seen. I marveled at her banana trees, along with her newly planted avocado and dwarf coffee bean trees. During our first week visiting the farm, Violet was sure to inform us of her mission to collaborate with other farmers, champion organic gardening and to provide innovative farming strategies. She even let me have some fun in the dirt and plant saga seeds in hopes to keep the birds away from the coffee beans on her tree. The workers looked puzzled and asked why I wore gloves. Apparently, real Kenyan farmers aren’t afraid of a little dirt and typically don’t wear gardening gear. I admire that grit.
What makes Pepetwa Farm truly special is its role as a hub for community learning and empowerment. During our visit, Violet hosted her annual conference featuring local experts in beekeeping, natural botanicals, community gardening, and container farming for elders. A speaker even joined via Skype from the U.S., sharing tips on food security and community resilience.
She showcased her new children’s book, “Our Africa” and all the guests went home with a small gift of honey and an avocado tree to plant in their own gardens. Violet is growing more than food; it’s a living classroom and a community anchor. A small farm, with a big impact! Growing something good, together with the community.
I’m thrilled to share the farm with you here at Ripples We Spread. If you’re interested in supporting sustainable farming, community education, or just want to learn more about Pepetwa Farm, reach out to me. Because this is how ripples are spread, building a better world, one seed at a time.
